Katherine R. Willson (Dexter, Michigan) discovered her passion for family history as a Junior Girl Scout earning the now-retired “My Heritage” Girl Scout badge. Today, she is a dynamic genealogy educator who presents at regional, national, and international events and is widely regarded for her engaging presentations.

Katherine has held leadership positions in numerous local, national, and professional genealogical organizations. She serves on the faculty of both the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy and the GRIP Genealogy Institute, teaching courses that explore the historical, social, cultural, and economic forces shaping ancestral lives and influencing decisions across generations.

As a full-time researcher for private clients, she specializes in Michigan’s pre-statehood families, early pioneers of the Northwest Territory, 19th- and 20th-century European emigrants to America, and those who journeyed west during America’s expansion from 1787 to 1890. Her research uses historical context to build a fuller picture of their lives, communities, challenges, opportunities, and choices.

Through her website, SocialMediaGenealogy.com, Katherine shares free resources for family historians, including genealogy forms, oral history interview questions, and curated directories of genealogy-focused Facebook groups, YouTube channels, and podcasts. These resources help researchers connect historical context with family evidence.